Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current condition is related to his military service. Service connection was denied for a low back disorder due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as not incurred in or related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for tinnitus and PTSD, finding that there was no legal merit to these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, and right knee disability are not related to his period of active duty. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are the result of acoustic trauma sustained during active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and his military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to his active service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability and tinnitus were not incurred as a result of an injury or disease during active service. However, the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be related to noise exposure during active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and evidence regarding her claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased evaluation for PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding that tinnitus was incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and the criteria for a higher rating were not met for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an ulcer, hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The claim for prostate cancer was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The VA determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of hearing impairment during service or in the years immediately following discharge. The Board found insufficient medical evidence to establish a connection between the veteran's current conditions and his active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service. The evidence shows no hearing problems during service and no symptoms of either condition post-service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional evidence.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the veteran's thyroid disorder and inadequate VA examination for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus was granted with an effective date of December 17, 2002. The decision is based on the facts found and not earlier than the date of receipt of application.

The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, tinea pedis, foot injury residuals (unspecified), arthritis/joint swelling, scar on the right eyebrow, and scar on the left palm were all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.,There was no evidence of hearing loss disability in either ear during service. The veteran's SMRs are silent for complaints, findings, or diagnoses related to these conditions.